Eye specialists in Newcastle fear hundreds of people in the North East are at risk of going blind because of a lack of awareness about glaucoma.

The condition can be present for many years without a person being aware of it, as there are no symptoms in the early stages.

If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to serious loss of vision, with up to 40% of sight being permanently lost before the effects are noticed.

While the damage caused by glaucoma is permanent, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent vision-threatening loss. The key to treating glaucoma successfully is diagnosing it early.

Mr Mike Bearn, a consultant ophthalmologist at the RVI’s Newcastle Eye Centre, said: “Our eyes need a certain level of pressure to stay inflated – rather like a football. When too much pressure builds up, this can lead to damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye and this is when glaucoma develops.

“Many people who are diagnosed with glaucoma immediately worry that they will go blind. But as long as they are seen in the early stages of the disease by a trained specialist, the chances are we can do something to prevent or minimise further damage.”

Roy Dormer, a grandfather of four from Gosforth, knows only too well the importance of getting treatment for the condition, sooner rather than later.

Roy Dormer, from Gosforth who suffers from glaucoma, with his wife Sheila

The 87-year-old retired engineer, who lives with his wife Sheila, was found to have glaucoma around 20 years ago and has been taking daily eye drops ever since to keep the condition under control.

Roy said: “My left eye has never been good, even from about 14 years old, but eye checks weren’t the same in those days as they are now.

“I left school when I was 16 and wanted to work for a major railway carriages firm so I went to Euston for an interview. I failed the medical, because of my left eye but managed to get a job, as long as I wore glasses.”

Mr Dormer carried on as normal until he and his wife moved up to the North East some 40 years ago where he established his own engineering company, Rosh Engineering.

Mr Dormer said: “I saw an optician in Newcastle who told me that he could see that a blood vessel had popped in my eye at some point, probably due to high pressure in the eye. I didn’t realise at the time this was a significant factor but I was referred to see an eye specialist at the RVI.”

Mr Dormer had tests which confirmed glaucoma. Treatment was started to reduce and keep the pressure in his eye at a healthy level.

Mr Dormer has a grown-up son and daughter. They have had regular checks with an optician for some time now.

Ian Dormer, Roy’s son who now runs the family engineering firm, said: “I was diagnosed with the condition in my late thirties so I know my vision is at risk, but because we know about it, we’ve got a shooting chance of keeping the effects of glaucoma at bay.”

Huseyin Cetinturk is a clinical nurse specialist at the RVI’s Newcastle Eye Centre.

He said: “Brothers, sisters, parent and children of people diagnosed with glaucoma are four times more likely to develop the condition, compared to someone without a family history.”

•Eye specialists will be in Eldon Square on Thursday to help people understand a bit more about the condition.